A MAN in a stolen fork-lift vehicle rammed his way through the streets of York in a chase police said was straight out of American TV.

Three police officers and three civilians were hurt and ten vehicles were wrecked or damaged as the slow, but hazardous, drama unfolded along the A19 and on to an A64 packed with Bank Holiday traffic.

Courageous police eventually managed to stop the driver by "sideswiping" the truck as it tried to mount the central reservation on the dual carriageway.

Queues of several miles built up in both directions as the chase was brought to an end.

One of those hurt in the chase was eight-months pregnant Alison Hackwell, who suffered shock as her car was rammed by the driver.

"We weren't sure what was happening. Our car filled up with smoke and bits of the engine fell off, it was really shocking," said Mrs Hackwell's husband, Brian.

Three police cars were among the vehicles rammed by the driver. Of those, four, including two police vehicles, were thought to have been written off.

Inspector Paul Bilton said: "Anything that went near him he was trying to ram. The speeds involved were slow, but because of the nature of his driving, and the size and weight of that vehicle, the situation was very dangerous indeed."

The chase began when CID officers spotted a man in the five-tonne CAT fork-lift vehicle, which had been stolen from Dewsbury Terrace in York.

As they went to speak to the driver he drove off towards Fetter Lane and Skeldergate where he rammed into a police van and a passing VW Golf.

From there he drove through the city centre, driving the wrong way around the one-way system on to Fulford Road before reaching built-up traffic at the A19 and A64 interchange.

It was here that Mr and Mrs Hackwell's vehicle was rammed, as were four other vehicles, including a silver BMW that had most of its back section ripped out by the forks. The vehicle travelled no faster than 20 miles per hour throughout the chase.

The CAT driver then partly entered the McArthurGlen designer outlet site, before going back on to the roundabout and heading west on the A64.

Officers in a Land Cruiser tried to smash a window on the CAT and use CS spray on its driver, but were beaten back after being rammed.

The CAT was eventually brought to a halt on the A64 by police using "Stinger" equipment, which pierces tyres.

The truck was then rammed by the police Land Cruiser and another police vehicle pulled up behind the CAT driver to stop him trying to reverse.

Insp Bilton said: "The Stinger had been deployed which took at least one tyre out, and we took the decision to stop him before the next interchange.

"He was trying to mount the central reservation, so the officer has sideswiped him and managed to bring him to a halt."

Insp Bilton said the incident was like "something off an American video."

He added: "Normally you only see that sort of thing on TV. In all my service that was the first incident of this nature that has gone on for any length of time and involved so many vehicles.

"He was causing massive danger to all other road users, as well as himself. Naturally we are pleased we were able to bring things to a safe conclusion."

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, August 27, 2002